The task of building up the roster through NBA free agency has been completed by Magic Johnson and general manager Rob Pelinka. LeBron James has signed on the dotted line along with newcomers Rajon Rondo, Lance Stephenson, and JaVale McGee.
On Wednesday, Pelinka spoke to the media for the first time since the signing of LeBron had been made official. Pelinka shed some light on what the team's goals were heading into free agency.
“We wanted high I.Q. basketball players,” Pelinka said. “We wanted versatility. We wanted depth in our roster. We wanted to be able to play fast. We wanted players that had a toughness about them.”
With the team securing LeBron on a four-year deal, the Lakers are relevant once again in the Western Conference in terms of being a legitimate playoff contender while improving their chances of winning an NBA title moving forward. Although this is a huge win for the revamped Lakers front office, Pelinka claims the franchise isn't celebrating as of yet.
“We don't celebrate signings,” Pelinka said. “We don't celebrate roster additions. We celebrate championships.”
The stage is set in Los Angeles to finally get back on track and contend for these championships which have eluded the storied franchise since 2010 with Kobe Bryant leading the way. The Lakers brass is going with the same approach the team has practiced throughout its incredibly successful history. It's championships or bust.
The reigning NBA champion Golden State Warriors remain the team to beat in the NBA and for good reason, but the Lakers have something to build on here with arguably the best player in the league putting his faith in this team's ability to get back on top.
